Pacaya Samiria national reserve

Pacaya Samiria National Reserve“Expedition to “El Dorado””

quotation available on demand

Discover Pacaya Samiria National Reserve, the largest National Reserve in Peru covering 2 million hectares…

Well known as one of the richest biodiversity areas in the world, with more than 250 fish, 130 mammal, 450 bird and 250 reptile and amphibian species, luxurious vegetation and rich variant colours of its waters ! A concentration of Amazonia for those who love nature.

The objective of this authentic journey is to give you an unique experience that differs from another cruise. Latitud Sur’s principle is to travel without excessive consumption, with comfort but without inappropriate luxury. The aim is to leave the beaten touristic tracks, meeting strong identity people, sharing with you the subtlety of the native culture. This expedition is organized by the French-Peruvian NGO Latitud Sur, and 25 % of its benefits will be used to set up or make durable developing projects with local communities in the Loreto region, projects you will get to know during your stay. A responsible travel, far beyond the classical criterias of fair-tourism, giving rise to a reflection about the present environmental and indigenous problematic.

Journey Description

D1 : …/Iquitos/Nauta/Yarina
06:00 hrs.- Pick up at your hotel in Iquitos and transfer in a private vehicle to Nauta – 95km (aprox. 1 h 30 min). In Nauta we will board a speed boat and navigate through the Marañón river, to the Pacaya Samiria National Reserve. During the trip you will observe a typical fauna, especially many species of birds. If you are lucky, you will see some grey dolphins.
11:00 hrs.- Arrival at the Reserve, in the village of Santo Domingo. You will continue through the Yanayacu River. You will see the change of color of the water, from the Brown color of the Marañón River to the dark waters of the Yanayacu. They are called “black waters”, characteristic of many Amazonian rivers, which color is due to the presence of vegetal substances. These waters reflect incredibly the vegetation and the sky, creating a mirror effect, this is why we call the Reserve “The jungle of mirrors”.
The journey keeps going and you will see the landscapes starting to change, from secondary forest and small plantations nearby the communities, to preserved ecosystems in the primary rainforest. You will have a snack on board. You will stop at some points in order to observe the fauna, such as pink dolphins (Inia geoffrensis).
14:00 hrs.- Arrival in Yarina. You will settle in the Lodge, in a double room with private bathrooms. Typical lunch based on local products, and first meeting to coordinate the next activities of the program.
After lunch, you will discuss the following steps of your journey with your guide, according to your preferences: visit of a community close to Yarina, short walk, excursion by boat.
20:00-21:00 hrs. Typical diner. If you wish, you can go for a nocturnal walk close to the lodge to observe insects, frogs and nocturnal animals.

D2 : Yarina / German Cano
8:00-8:30. After breakfast, you will go by speed boat to Germán Caño, where lies a small authorized camp in the Reserve. This is a typical plateform whis a roof and mosquito nets, where you will settle. Latitud Sur will provide everything you will need to feel comfortable.
9:30-10:00. During the trip you will make a first stop and an excursion in Chingana, an area where there is no longer permanent human presence and where hunting and fishing activities are controlled. The site if full of an incredible fauna, and according to the season you will be able to observe many species of birds, monkeys, sloths, pink dolphins,…
13:00-13.30. Stop for lunch in the Llacchihuay area.
17:00- 18:00. Arrival to the camp Germán Caño where you will stay for the night and have dinner.

D3 : German Cano / El Dorado
8:00- 8.30. After breakfast, continuation to the lagoon “El Dorado”.
12:00- 13:00. During the trip, we will make a stop in a lagoon called “Pato Cocha”, where there is a huge variety of aquatic birds, dolphins, caimans. There also is a special place where you could go for a bath in the lagoon.
16:00-17:00. Arrival at the refuge of Canta Gallo, located on the Banks of El Dorado lagoon, where we will get settled for the night.
Before and after diner, you will be able to go for excursions by boat to see caimans and aquatic birds.

D4 : El Dorado
8:00- 8:30. After breakfast, we will go on excursions in a traditional boat and canoas through the lagoon and its affluent.
During the dry season (june-november) it is possible to realize some interpretative treks around the lagoon to observe the fauna and flora. During the wet season, when the water level is high, the excursions will be realized mostly by boat.
The principal attraction of “El Dorado” is its diversity of landscapes and its abundant aquatic fauna, fish, caimans, great amount of aquatic birds, manatees…
The “Paiche” (arapaima gigas) is one of the biggest freshwater fish in the world. The Yacu Tayta fishers groups have been working in collaboration with the Reserve for the preservation of this specie for more than 20 years.

D5 : El Dorado / Yarina
8:00-8:30. After breakfast we will head back to the lodge by speed boat. Stop for lunch.
16:00 – 17: 00. Arrival at the Lodge. Rest and dinner.
At night it will be possible to go for a nocturnal excursion.

D6 : Yarina
8:00- 8:30. In the morning you will go for an interpretative walk close to the lodge.
You will see incredible trees, like the ceiba, and different kinds of ecosystems.
Your local guide will show you different vegetal species that the local population use as medicinal, alimentary, for construction, and even for magical purposes. It is usual to hear a great variety of birds, insects, reptiles, and even primates.
15:30-16:00. After lunch, visit of the community of Yarina (120 inhabitants) to discover the local lifestyle and the activities of sustainable development.

D7 : Yarina / Nauta / Iquitos
6:30. Before breakfast, you will enjoy the sunrise during a fluvial excursion to observe birds.
8:00- 8:30. After breakfast, we will headback to Nauta, with a stopover on the way to visit a place where we will see giant trees.
Next stopover in the community “Veinte de Enero” where you will have lunch and discover one of the main projects of Latitud Sur.
You will witness the climbing of the “aguaje” tree (mauritia flexuosa), which is known for its ecological and economical importance in the Amazonia. In order to avoid cutting the trees, as they formerly used to do, Latitud Sur launched a project with the community to teach them how to climb up the trees to collect the fruits.
Arrival at Nauta in the afternoon. If you wish, you can have lunch in Nauta (not included) and we will go by boat to see where the Marañón and Ucayali rivers meet, birthplace of the Amazon river.

Coming back to Nauta, then we will headback to Iquitos in our private vehicle. We will leave you at your hotel or at the airport.

Warnings:
– The Amazon rainforest is a wild environment, the observation of fauna is variable
– This program might be adapted to the season and the navigation’s conditions.

Reservation

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